November 21, 2007 – A  resolution urging Turkey to acknowledge the human rights and the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarch has been gaining significant momentum in both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives.  

Introduced by Senator Gale Candaras (D-Wilbraham), Representative Lewis Evangelidis (R-Holden), and co-sponsored by myself and numerous other legislators throughout the Commonwealth, this measure complements recent efforts taken by Congress and state officials from across the country who have praised the work of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, while recommending that Turkey take greater steps to respect the Eastern Orthodox Church and its members throughout the world.  The continued persecution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by the Turkish government defies belief and all of us should be doing everything we can to help in the struggle to ensure that members of the Eastern Orthodox Church are treated fairly and with the respect they so truly deserve.

Following the September 11th attacks, the Ecumenical Patriarch gathered a group of religious leaders to produce the first joint statement with Muslim leaders that condemned the attacks as “anti-religious”.  Over the past few years, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I also played a critical role in promoting interfaith dialogue through the Conference on Peace and Tolerance, and more recently met with Pope Benedict XVI to advocate for unity and shared understanding between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic religious communities. 

Despite his work, however, the Turkish government continues to jeopardize the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  Turkish officials have confiscated nearly 94 percent of the church’s properties and have placed a 42% tax on the Baloukli Hospital and Home for the Aged, a charity hospital run by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  Furthermore, the Turkish government has closed the Halki Theological School and placed strong restrictions on who can hold the office of the Ecumenical Patriarch. 
 

Brockton Delegation successfully fights
harmful language in Energy Bill
A notable victory is won in the fight against the power plant

November 15, 2007 - After a lengthy and heated debate behind the scenes and on the House floor, and many public and private meetings, the Brockton delegation was able to celebrate a major success in the fight against the proposed power plant in Brockton.  Before today’s vote on the Green Communities Act of 2007, language which could have permitted the proposed power plant to be built regardless of local zoning laws was removed from the bill and sent to study.  State Representatives Christine E. Canavan, Geraldine Creedon, and Tom Kennedy successfully lobbied the Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to remove language which they found harmful to the City of Brockton in the Energy Bill approved today by the House of Representatives, and that language will now be placed in study. 

“I am so proud today to count myself as a member of this Brockton delegation.  The united front we presented allowed us to work with Speaker DiMasi and Chairman Brian Dempsey [of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy] to remove this onerous language which we worried could be counted as a major victory for the proposed power plant.  I have opposed the power plant from the beginning, and I am happy to stand against it in the Legislature.  I will continue to oppose the power plant, and any proposed project for that area that does not benefit my constituents,” stated Representative Christine E. Canavan.

The Brockton delegation was concerned that the proposed language would have allowed the power plant to be constructed regardless of local zoning laws.  Representative Geraldine Creedon stated “Local zoning laws are put in place for a reason.  This language would have been disastrous in its attempt to circumvent that important process, which is why I, along with my colleagues, worked so hard to remove this language from the Energy Bill.  This victory is an important step in the fight against the proposed power plant.”

The Green Communities Act of 2007 which was approved today takes important steps in conserving energy and rewarding communities for efforts to become more “green”.  It also establishes long term energy goals which the Commonwealth will work toward, and promotes green energy at the state and local levels.  “This bill is important, not only to the local communities and the state, but also to the region, and the country as a whole.  To insert this language in this legislation goes against the very intent of this bill.  I am very happy that our efforts, along with the efforts of many of our colleagues, were successful in removing that portion of the bill and sending it to study,” stated Representative Thomas Kennedy.

“I greatly appreciate the efforts of my House colleagues in removing this language from the House bill,” announced Senator Robert Creedon.  “Their dedication to the fight against the proposed power plant is impressive, and now, with their assistance, I will work to ensure that this language does not appear in the Senate bill as well.  Our ability to work together is what makes us so strong, and I am glad that we are able to unite and work toward the common goal of defeating the proposed power plant.”

 
November 14, 2007 –  Pressing for modern-day benefits for individuals living with lifelong metabolic disorders, I testified today before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Financial Services in support of House Bills 925, An Act increasing coverage of non-prescription enteral formulas and 926, An Act eliminating the need for reauthorization for coverage of non-prescription enteral formula, two key measures that I have sponsored during the current legislative session.

Although I have been a longtime advocate for numerous successful health care initiatives, my family and I recently learned firsthand the needs of those with metabolic disorders after my 1 year old grandson, James, was diagnosed with PKU (phenylketonuria) – a lifelong, inherited, recessive genetic disorder – just days after being born.  Similar to others with metabolic disorders unable to break down certain amino acids, individuals with PKU are unable to process phenylalanine, requiring them to adhere to a restricted and costly diet.

“One of my roles as a legislator, a grandmother, and a health care professional is to be an advocate for the needs of children, families, and all individuals across the Commonwealth and to make sure their healthcare needs are recognized here at the State House,” I told my colleagues.

These two bills seek to amend health insurance regulations in hopes of alleviating part of the financial burden currently faced by those with PKU and their families, as well as making it easier for them to receive necessary coverage.  Since the passage of the current law (M.G.L. ch.175, s.471) ten years ago, insurance companies have been required to cover $2,500 per year for each person in food and formulas that are modified to be low in protein.  H.925 would double that coverage, recognizing the rise in the cost of modified food, to $5,000 per year for each person diagnosed with a metabolic disorder.  Because PKU and other metabolic disorders are lifelong, H.926 seeks to eliminate the time-consuming need for the continued re-authorization of insurance benefits for those affected by these conditions. 

“These are not bills that would affect a huge portion of the population in the Commonwealth,” I further argued, “however the difference their passage would make to the small group of families and patients that are affected by metabolic disorders is immeasurable.”